Meet Actress Janice MacGregor, we had an opportunity to chat to her recently about her acting career. Check out the Q & A below!
As a child, did you want to be an actor, or did it fall into place through other activities?
As a child acting never crossed my mind. I was incredibly shy and I have traditional parents who pushed me towards a more conventional line of work. They wanted me to be a doctor.
Who inspired you to follow your dream to pursue acting?
I got in to acting in my early-20s. I didn’t really have an particular inspirations at the time. Nowadays, I admire Danny Glover who had epilepsy yet persisted on in his acting career.
What challenges have you faced in the entertainment industry? What has been your most rewarding experience?
Being open about having epilepsy is something that is a double edged sword. I like that I can be a voice for epilepsy but it frustrates me when I hear someone assume that I can’t play a role because I have epilepsy. I’m capable and physically fit and people should ask me what my limitations are rather than basing their judgement of me on an episode of ER they watched 20 years ago. Here’s the gist of it: Epilepsy can’t stop me from filming any sort of scene unless the scene requires me to drive. Other than that I don’t have any restrictions. And my seizures are under control with medication so I’m not a potential liability to a project… Something I found rewarding was being allowed to audition for The Grudge reboot. I love that genre! I didn’t get the role but it was an honour to be allowed the opportunity to audition.\What is your favourite type of character to play?… I enjoy characters where I am not typecast. I like playing roles that are not the “traditional Indian woman” character.
What market do you currently work in? Are there other areas you would like to work?
I presently work in the Saskatchewan market BUT I’M OPEN TO RELOCATING FOR A PROJECT!!! I would love to work in Toronto, Vancouver or Atlanta. I’d be happy to work anywhere there is work!
What advice would you give to someone new trying to make it in the acting industry?
Do this for you. Don’t do this to get famous. Acting for the sake of fame or money is a crime against the art of storytelling. Learn from other artists but don’t compare yourself to others. And don’t rely on being beautiful or handsome to get by in the industry. There is always going to be someone who is better looking than you so focus on being the best artist you can be.
Why, What fuels your passion?
I have a deep love for storytelling through the arts. Playing different characters, bringing them to life, and creating a story behind them is a great creative outlet.
What is something about you that most people would never guess?
I’m about 4″ shorter than people think I am! And I collect garden gnomes.
If you were to do it all over again, would you do things exactly the same? Do you have any regrets? Successes that make you proud?
I would do it all the same. Regrets are lessons in disguise so I try to focus on learning and moving forward rather than harping on what I could have done differently. I can’t go back in time so I don’t waste time wishing I had done something differently. I’m proud of every role I have ever played. I’m proud of certain auditions and callbacks even if I ultimately did not end up getting the role.
To follow and learn more about Janice, visit her social media links below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ms.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ms_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/
